Vnylst's Osandi Robinson On Learning To Lead, Virtually

A new job or venture is as terrifying as it is exhilarating, especially if you're a manager. What are the best ways to navigate a big transition? We asked five leaders to reveal what they learned during a recent power move. Then, we tapped the leadership experts at DDI* to assess how our fearless leaders have handled their staff (and themselves) amid the chaos.

Self-Assessment: "I'm at a self-funded startup in L.A. We have three full-time people: one in Brazil and two in San Francisco. Between pitching to angels, working with partners, and developing a prototype from scratch—something I've never done before—I have to keep the staff feeling like they're doing something important. Leading people in a virtual team is a competency that I would like to build upon, but I have no idea how. It's hard to communicate, 'Hey, put this fire under you and get to work' by text, email,
and phone.

Starting this company has given me a reason to ask for help. I'm seeking the personal investment of people who have my interests in mind, who know more than me, and who can push me where I need to be pushed. This is rarer than you think. Mostly mentorship is just the occasional beer without much focus. You have to find people who believe in you and give them a reason to weigh in."

56% of new managers said they understand what it takes to succeed.*

DDI Assessment: Osandi has already mastered what a lot of people at the highest levels never achieve: He has cultivated the habit of building a support network and tapping it for useful feedback, perhaps the most powerful indicator of sustained success. But his transition brings up a classic emerging-leader challenge: The habits that got you here are not enough to move you forward. Osandi's network can advise and guide, but it can't lead for him. His concerns about his virtual team are only part of the bigger issue. He needs to reorient his thinking from advisee to leader.

ROBINSON'S RESPONSE: "The closer we get to launch, the better I get at instilling a sense of urgency. I am planning some in-person visits this fall, to better build the Jell-O between everybody."